Balloon-searchlight



`C. GROOMS.

BALLOON SEARCHLIGHT.

APPLICATION man JULY 6,1918.

1,390,902. PatentedSept- 13, 1921.

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CULUMUSGBOOMS, 0F POINT, GEORGIA.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 13, 1921.

Application illed July 6, 1918. Serial No. 243,568.

lights; and I do hiereby declare the follow-` ing to be a full, clear, anfheiiact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make` and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in balloons and more particularly to search light means therefor.

An important ob'ect of this invention is to provide a Search light attachment for balloos adapted to direct a ray of light in any desired direction for the purpose ot' dettecting enemy airships.

A further object of the invention is to provide a search light attachment i'or bal- Vcons having means for directing a ray of light in any desired direction for the purpose of signaling distant points.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a search light attachment for balloons which may be controlled from the ground in a manner similar to the control of observation balloons.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be a parent during the course of the following escription.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a balloon having my improved search light arranged therebelow,

F ig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view through a search light embodied in my invention, and,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a guide for one of the light directing elements.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 enerically designates a balloon of the suspendin from the balloon are connected with a casing 7, as at 8.

ight/er than air type.` Cables or cord 6 The casing 7 carries a search light 9, having means for directing light in live directions. The casing 7 is rectangular in shape and each of its vertical sides is provided with a bulls eye 10. Its lower side is also provided with a bulls eye 10. Arranged interiorly of the bulls eyes 10 and 10 are relecto'is 11 which are conical in shape and open on their inner side. A source of light 12 may be suspended from the upper side 13 of the casing, and is disposed ad acent the inner open sides of the reflectors. liight controlling curtains 14 are mounted in bearings 16 disposed on the outside of the casing and are adapted to overlie the bulls e es. The curtains Mare connected at their ree ends with cords 16 passing through eyes 17 adjacent each bulls eye.

A frame 18 is suspended from the balloon 5 and below the casing 7. The frame 18 carries lpulleys 19 over which the cords 16 pass. conduit 2() is suspended below the trame 18 by brackets 21 and is adapted for the reception of the control cords 16 With ieference to Fig. 1 it will be apparent that by operating any of the cords 16' from the lower end of the pipe, the light may be directed through any of the sides in the search light. The conduit 20 may be ilexible and extends to the ground from where the balloon is controlled.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that I may make such minor changes in arrangement and construction of parts, will remain within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with an aerial body, a luminous signaling device loosely sus ended therefrom having a plurality of bul s eyes for projection of light rays therethrough, shutters for the bulls eyes, pendant members to individually operate the shutters, and one of the members adapted to be held taut to steady the device as another cable is opernted to move a shutter.

2. In combination with an aerial body,`a luminous signaling device loosely suspended therefrom having a plurality of bulls eyes ce i for projection of light rays therethrough, shutters for the bulls eyes, a frame suspended from the body below the signaling device and having a pendant guide tube, pendant cab-les to 'individually operate the shutters passing through the tube, guide means on :the frame for the cables, and one of the cables adapted to be held taut to steady the device as another cable is operated to move a shutter.

Inqtestimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

g COLUMBUS GROOMS. Witnesses:

A. C. HEMPERLEY,

H. G. MATHEWS. 

